Honda Recalls Odyssey Minivans For Air Bag Problem

Honda has recalled nearly 25,000 of its Alabama-made Odyssey minivans for an electrical defect that may prevent air bags from deploying in an accident. Their passenger-side side curtain air bags may not deploy in a crash. The affected minivans are from the 2014 model year. An electrical connector, called the shorting terminal, may have been damaged during assembly, according to documents posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. The automaker said that the recall involves 24,889 model year 2014 Odyssey vehicles. They are being recalled in the U.S. to replace the shorting coupler, an electrical component in the side curtain air bag system.

During the assembly of the electrical coupler for the side curtain air bag on the passenger side of the vehicle, Honda said it is possible that the shorting terminal, which is used to prevent deployment of the air bag before it is assembled into the vehicle, may have been damaged. “A damaged shorting terminal may illuminate the supplemental restraint system indicator as well as prevent the side curtain air bag from deploying during a crash, increasing the risk of injury. No crashes or injuries have been reported related to this issue, which was discovered through warranty repairs,” the company said.

Honda will notify owners, and dealers will provide a fix, free of charge. The recall was to have started last month. The Odyssey is produced at Honda’s Talladega County plant, where workers also build the Pilot SUV, Ridgeline pickup and Acura MDX.